Category Archives: Charity

Charity, History, Wine

Nor Cal Fires: Looking Back, Moving Forward & Drinking Wine!

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Last month we were in Santa Rosa, my wife and son returned to a treasured park only to find it surrounded by burnt out lots.  The park was only grazed with crisp leaves and they were able to play their requisite basketball.  However, as they put it, felt like being in a forest.

A recent article I wrote, Out of the fires: Wildflowers and Pink Wine for Valley of the Moon Magazine is a look at the natural rebirth of some affected wineries.  The view above from my house during the fires, at the extreme end of southern Sonoma County, and beyond into the entire Bay Area, we all experienced the devastation from afar.

So have we, of course, been following the recovery:  Great news sources are the Press Democrat special section Rebuilding the North Bay, as well as this Facebook Page Rebuild NorthBay Foundation. The emblematic winery Paradise Ridge can be a reminder to us all that LOVE is leading us through!

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Charity, Event, Wine

For The Love of Napa concert raises spirits and funds for fire relief!

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There are so many incredible people coming together in support of those affected by the recent fires.  For The Love of Napa featured an amazing concert with Michael Franti and Spearhead and Vintage Trouble.  With so many affected, this is a chance for locals to show their resilience as a community and lift their spirits through the healing power of music. One-hundred percent of ticket sales went to victims of the region’s recent wildfires through the Napa Valley Community Foundation.

It all took place at Robert Mondavi Winery, in conjunction with BottleRock Presents, and raised in excess of $90K for fire relief.

THANK YOU to all that contributed time, money, music and wine!

 #NapaStrong #WineCountryStrong
#CAWineStrong #FeastItForward

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Charity, Competition, Wine

Get the results! 2017 Harvest Challenge

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Well it was all quite a challenge indeed to make this happen in the midst of the October fires.  For that reason with every entry made to the 2017 Harvest Challenge, the net portion of proceeds are being donated to aid in recovery from the recent Northern California Wildfires.  Check out the links below for results! #CAWineStrong

Many thanks and appreciation are also extended to Cline Cellars for hosting the judges to a marvelous feast from A Girl In The Fig by chef John Toulze.  Cheers to all!

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Charity, Tasting, Wine

PinotFest in SF! Saturday November 18th

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The action happens at the Farallon in San Francisco with an amazing list of participating wineries and North Bay Fire Relief raffle of Magnums.  Be sure to get your tickets to the 19th Annual PinotFest!

I’m not kidding about these wineries! Alma Rosa, Au Bon Climat, Big Table Farm, Bonaccorsi, Byron, Calera, Charles Heintz, Chehalem, Cobb, Costa de Oro, Cristom, Domaine Drouhin, En Route, Ernest, Etude, Failla, Fiddlehead, Flowers, Foxen, Freeman, Gary Farrell, Gloria Ferrer, Handley, Hartford Court, Hitching Post, Joseph Phelps, Keller Estate, Kendric, Kosta Browne, LaRue, Littorai, Lutum, Marimar Estate, Melville, Merry Edwards, Morgan, Nicolas Jay, Paul Hobbs, Paul Lato, Peay, Radio Coteau, Saintsbury, Siduri, Sinor LaVallee, Soter, Talisman, Talley, Testarossa, Tendril, Thomas Fogarty, Twomey, Wayfarer, Whitcraft, WillaKenzie, Williams Selyem

Then there is the Pinot Noir Pop Up – Focus New Zealand: Lime Rock, Escarpment, Ata Rangi, Neudorf, Huia, Greywacke, Villa Maria, Giesen, Mt. Beautiful, Pegasus Bay, Amisfield, Loveblock, Mt. Difficulty, Felton Road, Burn Cottage, Ostler

#PinotFest2017 #PinotFestSF #WineCountryStrong

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Charity, Food, Wine, zigsaw

Fire Relief Fundraiser! November 10th at Gravenstein Grill

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#WineCountryStrong

Another fabulous way to support your community! Join me and Ziggy the Wine Gal at this Superstar event to raise funds for the North Bay Fire Relief, an incredible effort to help our neighbors rise from the ashes.

Gravenstein Grill
8050 Bodega Avenue Sebastopl, CA 95472
6pm to close
$100 suggested donation

There will be an amazing selection of wines, many from Russian River Winegrowers and the Coffey Park areas, being poured and up for auction!  Cocktails and appetizers to enjoy while perusing the silent auction, then get ready for live bidding at 7pm.

Reserve your space at
(707)-634-6142 or brandon@gravensteingrill.com 

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Charity, Event, Wine

Harvest Dinner & Fire Relief Fundraiser on November 1st!

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Join me  along with Radio-Coteau wines for the Gravenstein Grill Harvest Dinner by Executive Chef Bob Simontacchi, with guest Winegrower Eric Sussman!   This is an excellent opportunity to savor a delicious feast, paired with wine while also benefiting the Fire Relief Fund of Sonoma & Napa Counties.  This delicious menu includes:

Heirloom Tomato Soup with Brioche Grilled Cheese
Aged White Cheddar, Local Heirloom Tomatoes
“Eye Cyder” Unfiltered Gravenstein Cider from Sebastopol Grown Apples

Seared Dayboat Scallop Creamed Brussel Sprout Leaves, Tarragon, Hazelnut, & Lemons
2016 County Line Chardonnay, North Coast

Butternut Squash Gnocchi Foraged Mushrooms, Brown Butter, & Parmesan
2013 Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir, Dierke Vineyard, Sonoma Coast

Tomato, Orange & Rosemary Braised Lamb Shank Cauliflower Puree, Spinach, Pine Nuts, & Golden Raisins
topped with Gremolata
2013 Radio-Coteau Syrah, Dusty Lane, Sonoma Coast Chocolate “Bomb”

Kahlua Chocolate Mousse, Coffee Genoise,
Espresso Creme Anglaise
2013 Radio-Coteau Lemorel “Estate” Sonoma Coast Zinfandel

The Harvest Dinner is $120/person, RSVP Required – call (707) 634-6142: 15% of which benefits the Fire Relief Fund of Sonoma & Napa Counties.

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Charity, Varietal, Wine

Pinot on the River at Healdsburg Plaza, October 22nd

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Plan a great day to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County!  Pinot On The River is a fun filled weekend event , in the delightful Russian River Valley town of Healdsburg.  Visit with winemakers and fellow Pinot-lovers to focus on limited production West Coast Pinot Noirs.

The Sunday October 22nd Pinot Noir Grand Tasting, will have over 100 wineries plus guest Artisan Food Vendors on the downtown Healdsburg Plaza Square.  Get your tickets HERE!

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Charity, news, Wine

Wildfire Devastation Too Close To Home

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From my heart, I want to thank all the great people from around the globe who sent notes asking if my family and home are okay during the horrific spread of wildfires in Northern California. While I’m happy to say we are doing fine, I am heartbroken over the  suffering of so many friends through the loss of their homes, wineries, businesses or even their job because of the wildfires that are still not under control in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Calaveras and Yuba counties.

The devastation of Willi’s Wine Bar.

On a more personal level, the Mark West-Fountaingrove area that I grew up in, north of Santa Rosa, is completely gone too. The loss and damage to a number of schools and hospitals will have a huge impact on the community as well. The destruction makes me think about the 1989 Earthquake, 9/11 and the terrible storms that have hit the southern states in recent years. Luckily, the amount of lives lost so far has been minimal. But the damage and scares from the fires will be very obvious for many years to come.

This morning we made donations at our local drop-off zone here in Petaluma, and will wait to hear other ways we can help. But rest assured I’ll always wear my heart on the sleeve when October 9th rolls around for the rest of my life. Stay safe and appreciate life my friends.  You can help too either by volunteering at a local shelter or donating to the Napa and Sonoma Fire Relief fundraiser!

Much love to all and stay safe! Chris

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Top to bottom: A photo taken by my friend Sarah Stierch of the horrific fire heading towards Scribe Winery and the adjacent Gundlach Bundsch property in Sonoma Valley; The ruins of my dear friend Felicia’s house near Glen Ellen; Smoke-filled view from my house in Southern Sonoma County.

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Charity, Farm, Food, Wine

October 7th: A Biodynamic Farm-to-Table Feast!

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Experience this fundraiser at DeLoach Vineyards for Demeter USA and their critically important Biodynamic Farmer Education Initiative, including both silent and very live auction items: To feature incredible Biodynamic wines, products, and experiences. Live music by Sonoma County’s favorite band the Cahoots, playing their own blend of “Sonomacana” country blues and rockabilly. And of course featuring the award wines of DeLoach Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery, and Raymond Vineyards.  RSVP online!

The Demeter Biodynamic Education Initiative supports the education of farmers and others to expand the practice of Biodynamic agriculture, and the production of Biodynamic food and wine, across the country. Last year, Demeter increased Biodynamic acreage by more than 16% to 22,000 acres, advised more than 350 farmers and brands, and hosted 20 farmer workshops that provided Biodynamic training for 1,155 farmers. Your support of this work is vitally important for the quality of our farms, our food, and our planet. Thank you for joining with Boisset and Demeter in our vision to help heal the planet through agriculture.

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Charity, Event, Wine

2017 Great Gatsby Gala Benefiting the HDSA

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Buena Vista Winery will be transformed into a Roaring Twenties destination on Saturday, July 1, 2017 when the winery hosts the Great Gatsby Gala to benefit the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA).

With a goal to raise $100,000 to support the HDSA mission, the event will honor Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor of Boisset Collection, which owns Buena Vista Winery, and Dr. Laurice Yang, Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University in the Neurology & Neurological Sciences department. Join us in your Gatsby-themed attire to enjoy live entertainment, a delicious dinner and wine pairing, Buena Vista’s classically retro Bubble Lounge and a fantastic silent auction.

To make donations and purchase tickets please go to: pacificsouthwestreg.hdsa.org/

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